Changes in legislation affecting reception services as of 12 June 2026

On 12 June 2026, the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum starts to apply in all EU Member States. One of the acts of the Pact is the Reception Conditions Directive that ensures adequate services for those arriving in the EU and seeking international protection. In Finland, the Reception Conditions Directive will be implemented as part of the reform of the Reception Act.

The amendments to the Reception Act affect all reception centre clients, both asylum seekers and beneficiaries of temporary protection.

The Pact and the amendments to the Aliens Act also affect the process of applying for international protection and the processing of applications. More information: Applying for international protection and the processing of the applications changes as of 12 June | Maahanmuuttovirasto

New obligations for reception centre clients

Reception centre clients will have new obligations as of 12 June 2026. 

Identification

You are obliged to identify yourself at your reception centre regularly and to make sure that the reception centre has your up-to-date contact details. 

• Asylum seekers must identify themselves at their reception centre 2–4 times per month.
• Clients who receive temporary protection must identify themselves once a month.
• Persons under 18 years of age and persons who are working do not need to identify themselves.

In most cases, identification means that you visit your reception centre in person and show your reception centre client card from which you can be identified. You can also identify yourself when you, for example, visit the reception centre office for some other matter or visit a nurse or a public health nurse by appointment. Your reception centre will tell you when you must identify yourself for the first time.

It is important that you fulfil your obligations. If you do not identify yourself or if you cannot be contacted, your reception allowance can be reduced by 20 per cent or your reception services can be terminated.

Finnish society course

In future, all clients over 18 years of age who receive reception services must complete the Finnish society course. Your reception centre will give you more information about how the course can be completed. The reception centre will no longer organise work and study activities.

If you do not complete the Finnish society course, your reception allowance can be reduced by 20 per cent.

Rules and regulations

All reception centres have the same general rules and regulations. The purpose of the rules and regulations is to maintain public order and security at the reception centre and to ensure everyday safety for all clients and members of the staff.
After receiving information about the rules and regulations, you are bound to follow them. If you break the rules and regulations repeatedly and in a serious way, your reception allowance may be reduced by 20 per cent. In serious cases, your reception services may be withdrawn.

Income information and client fees

If you have regular income or funds, you can be charged a client fee for your reception services. You must inform your reception centre of all income and funds that you and your family have at your disposal. Inform the reception centre also about changes in your family relations.

If you do not inform the reception centre of all income and funds that are at your disposal, it may affect the granting of reception allowance and you may be charged client fees for your reception services.

Client fees can also be charged retrospectively for a period of three months in the past. Unaccompanied minors are not charged client fees.

Reception allowance and spending allowance

There will be no changes in the amount of reception allowance and spending allowance granted to unaccompanied minors. For more information about reception allowance and the amounts of allowances, see the page Reception allowance.

As of 12 June 2026, your reception allowance can be reduced by 20 per cent if you without reasonable grounds, for example, 

• have not updated your contact details
• have not completed the Finnish society course
• have failed to meet your identification obligation
• do not cooperate with the authorities
• have left a specific geographical area in which you have been ordered to stay, or do not stay at a specific reception centre as required
• repeatedly and in a serious way disturb public order or security (break the rules and regulations) at the reception centre.

Your reception allowance can be reduced if your reception services have not been terminated and

• you have submitted a subsequent application, or
• you do not have the right to remain on the territory of Finland.

Withdrawal of reception services

As of 12 June 2026, your reception services may be withdrawn if: 

• you do not cooperate during a procedure for removal from the country
• you continue to break the rules and regulations of the reception centre after your reception allowance has been reduced, or 
• you have received a transfer decision referred to in the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation stating that you are transferred to another EU Member State.

When your reception services are withdrawn, you still have the right to receive reception services but they are limited. For example, you may no longer have the right to receive reception allowance.

Changes in duration of reception services

There will be changes in the duration of reception services as of 1 September 2026.

Reception centre clients must move to a municipality after a specific period of time:

• Asylum seekers who have been granted a residence permit: Your reception services will be terminated three months after the date on which you were granted a residence permit and gained the right to apply for a municipality of residence.
• Clients who receive temporary protection: Your reception services will be terminated three months after the date on which you gained the right to apply for a municipality of residence.

If you already have a residence permit and the right to move to a municipality, your reception services will be terminated on 1 September 2026.

The time limits do not apply to unaccompanied minors. They will receive reception services until they move to a municipality.
In addition, the following applies if you have applied for international protection:

• If you no longer have the right to remain on the territory of Finland, your reception services will be terminated within the time limit.
• A subsequent application will no longer automatically give you the right to receive reception services.
• If you are an EU citizen, you do not have the right to receive reception services.

The provision of reception services may continue for a reasonable period of time only if there are exceptionally serious grounds. 

Further information:

• Customer bulletin about asylum matters: Applying for international protection and the processing of the applications changes as of 12 June | Maahanmuuttovirasto
• Press release by the Ministry of the Interior: EU Pact on Migration and Asylum to become applicable in June - Ministry of the Interior